Bicycle



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shet 1. G. T. WARWICK.

. BICYCLE. No. 399,454. Patented Mar. 12, 1889.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. T. WARWICK.

BIGYGLE.

No. 399,454. Patented Mar. 12, 1889 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

G. T. WARWICK.

BIGYGLE.

N0. 399,454. Patented Mar-.12, 1889.

4 sheetssheet 4.

(No Model.)

G. T. WARWICK.

BIGYGLE.

No. 399.454. Patented Mar. 12, 1889.

Snow/doze,

13 Gwen whys;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE T. \VAR\VIGK, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 399,454., dated March 12, 1889.

Application filed September 3, 1888- Serial No. 284,438. (No model.

To wZZ whont it flung concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. WARWICK, a citizen of Great Britain, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in bicycles, the object thereof being to so improve the construction thereof that increased efficiency in such machines is secured; and the invention particularly and mainly consists in the constructions and combinations of parts comprising and relating to the ball-bearing for the wheel. and also to its suspension from the front fork of the machine; to improvements in the brake mechanism; to a novel dust-protector for the connection of the front fork-head and the backbone-spindie. and to the construction of the backbone and the rear-wheel fork thereof. and all sub stantially as will hereinafter fully appear, and be set forth in the claims.

The invention also Comprises minor details of construction, as will-bc specified.

Reference is to be had to the accom nilrving drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the bicycle. Fig. 2 is in part a side elevation and in part-a central vertical section at the hub and bearings of a largebicycle-wheel. Fig. 3 isa view in elevation of the parts at one end of Fig. 2. Fig. 4.- is a vertical sectional view of the ballbearing on the line 9 9, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one segment of the ball-bearing case, and Fig. (i is a central sectional view through both segments of the said case to illustrate the diagonal line of juncture; and Fig. 7 is a view of one end portion of the wheel spindle or arbor, showing the annularlygrooved journal-collar thereon. Fig. 8 is a view at the front of the handle-bars and the front fork-head with the brake mechanism applied thereon. Fig. 9 is an enlarged side view of the front fork-head, with some parts thereof and of the brake mechanism in vertical section, the plane of which is indicated Fig. 10 is an ent is a horizontal cross-section of the parts of Fig. 9 on the line 16 16, illustrating the forkhead dust-guard. Fig. 12is a detail side view of the backbone and rear-wheel fork. Fig. 13 is a view of the inner or forward side of the backbone, and Fig. 1e is aview of a sheetmetal blank from which the backbone may be formed. Fig. 15 is an enlarged view, partially in section, of the backbone and rear-wheel fork, illustrating the form of connection there between. Fig. 16 is a view of the sheet-metal blank from which the. rear-wheel fork maybe formed. Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view of the rear-wheel fork when formed from a single piece of sheet metal before being united tothe backbone, and Fig. 18 is a side view of the thimblc employed in the jointing of the backbone and fork.

The mountingo'f the forward wheel. l-i, with relation to the front fork, particularly illustrated in Fig. 1 and in the drawings of Sheet 2. The lower end of each fork-leg 50 is formed with a more or less rigid yoke, 52, of a general semicircular form, having one side thereof extended at about right angles to the length of the fork beyond the semicircular curvature, as shown in Fig. 3, and bent to form a pivotal bearing-socket, 51, the end portion of the yoke at such side returning inwardly toward the circular line of the yoke, and having a screw-threaded bearing, 55, for a set-screw, 56. The ball-bearing box (Z, embracing the wheel arbor or spindlef, for permitting its free rotation, has a rearward extension, 57, terminating in a circular head, 58, which fits within the socket 54: of the yoke, and is capable of a pivotal or rolling movement therein. A spring-cushion, U0, of any suitable kind, interposed between the lower end of the fork-leg and the top of the ballbearing box, and serves to maintain the said leg and box separated, the degree thereof being adj ustcd by the turning of the set-screw 50 against the opposite side of the box. As seen in Fig. 2, the intermediate portion of the yoke, directly under or forming the lower part of each fork-leg, is chambered out, as at 62, to form a socket for the bearing and retention of said s 'iring-cushion 60. At the end portion of the yoke opposite that having the socket 54. the same is slotted vertically, as at 63, a stud, 6i, loosely passing through the slotand into the bearing-box d, maintaining the yoke more rigid and against becoming unduly twisted or laterally strained.

Upon the wheel at its point of tread striking any unusual obstruction in the road it is capable of slightly-rising motion without imparting such motion to the front fork and rider, the elongated portion of the bearingbox carrying the wheel swinging by its bearing from the pivotal yoke-socket in a line at right angles to the force imparted by the obstruction. I

' lVhile it is preferable to place the pivotal socket at the rear of the line of the springcompression, it may with more or less advantageous results be placed at the front of the line of compression.

' The wheel-spindle f at each end has fixed thereon a journal-collar, 65, with an annular groove, 60, in its rim, semicircular in crosssection, and embracing such grooved collar is the annular ball-case g, formed of segmental sections 67 G7, and having in its inner periphery an. annular groove, 68, semicircular in cross-section, corresponding with the groove 66 in the journal-collar, and when the parts are assembled the walls of the two grooves form the annular chamber for the hardened balls m, arranged in a plane at right angles to the axis of the spindle, as usual.

The wheel-spindle is shouldered, as at 6.), at a suitable (listance within its ends, against which the cup-shaped hubs 70 are forced and secured, and against the inner boss, 72, of the hub is a dust-cap, 73, encircling the spindle and covering and closing the circular line of contact between the journal-collar and the bearing-box (lat the rear or inner end thereof.

\Vithin the outer open side of the said box d the same is screw-threaded, receiving a circular inclosing-cap, 74:, the inner side of which within its borders is provided with a circular rabbet, 75, in which a supplemental circular dust-cap, 70, covering by its inner face the circular line of contact between said journalcollar and the ball-ease g at the outer end. By the employment of the supplemental dustcaps fine dust is with more certainty excluded from entrance from the outer ends of the bearings. The outer inclosing-cap is provided with spanner-holes 77 to permit of its easy insertion or removal.

The segments of the ball-case, here shown as two in number, have their abutting ends correspondingly formed inclining from one side thereof to the opposite side, whereby the juncture-line 78 of the segments (see Fig. 6)

is inclined or oblique relative to the direction of the roll of the balls over the same, permitting their freest operation possible within a segmental-formed case.

In primarily adjusting the ball-case g the segments are slightly separated, but forced to a bearing against the inclosed balls by the set-screw 79 taking through the wall ot' the box andagainst the outer periphery of one of the case-segmcnts. The wcarmay be The improved brake mechanism consists of a brake-shoe, 71 carried at one end of a horizontal arm, 83, pivoted in the front forkhead slightly above the wheel, a' verticallymovable thrust-arm or connecting-rod, 84, by its lower end pivoted to an intermediate part of said brake-shoe arm 85, and to an upper portion or extension of the said rod 84c one end of a horizontally-disposed brake-lever 85 is pivoted, said lever 85 being intermediately pivoted, as at 86, on the front side of one of the handle-bars, and the outer end of said lever is provided with a fin ger-piece, 87, in proximity with one handle, 88, so that it may be grasped by the same hand grasping the one bar-handle. Drawing on the outer end of the lever in an u )w-ard direction its inner end is depressed, forcing the shoe downwardly into contact with the rim of the wheel for its brake action, a retracting-spring being applied to hold the parts normally out of brake-engaging positions, and, as particularly shown, the rod 84, by its upper end portion, 89, plays vertically in a socket, 90, in the overhanging front 92 of the fork-head, and there isa button, 93, supported in arabbet-rest, 91, of said head, and provided with a downwardly-projeeting stud, 05, and to the said stud one end of a spiral spring, 96, is secured, said spring extending downwardly within the tubular portion 97 of the said connecting-rod, and by its lower end connected to a pin, 12, of. the said rod. A forward and upwardly extending bracket, 90, is formed on or attached to the brake-rod Set, its outer end being provided with a hub, 100, to permit of the pivotal connection of the end of the brake-lever therewith.

As shown in Fig. 9, about the screw-hole for the pivotal pin or bolt 101 toward the front side the hub is chambered out, let into which under more or less compression-is a bushing, 102, of rubber or other compressible material, with a tendency to force the lever hung on the pin outwardly against the head of the said bolt 101. A thin metallic washer, 103, may with good results be interposed between the in'ner face of the lever and the outer end of the rubber bushing, preventing a grinding and undue wearing of the bushing. The rubber bushing forces and maintains the lever close up against the bolt-head and prevents rattling. It is obvious that the bushing may be applied in the inner side of the beyond the screw-hole, stock in the hub being left immediately around said screw-hole out to the face of the hub to insure a longer bearing for the screwor bolt, as in some cases is more desirable. Other parts of bicycles, comprising pivotal connections liable to rattle, substantially as described, may be similarly bushed.

The dust-guard for the connection of the front fork-head with the backbone-spindle consists of a pair of metallic plates, 106 1.06, each semicircular .in cros section, enilnacing the fork-head, meetin by their forward edges and having rearwardly-extending ear-pieces 107, by which they are firmly attached by thebolt 1.08 or otherwise to the backbone. The said guard-plates are of a height sulficient to en tirely cover the slot 109 at the rear of the head necessary to permit of the swinging of the backbonethereon, and th us on such swing of the backbone the dust-guards move as one therewith, that. at all times the slot is inclosed. The dust-guard has been described as formed in two semicircular sections meet:- ingby their edges at the front of the fork-head, such construction enabling their easy attachment; but under the present novel feature, consisting of the said guard entirely surrounding the forkhead, it maybe formed of one piece comprising nearly an entire circle in its crosssectional extentand sprung over the head to be attached to the backbone-neck by its ad jacent rear edges.

The improved backbone and rearwheel fork l), in accordance with this invention, are constructed. by forming the backbone and fork separately from sheet metal, and afterward jointing the said parts, and in Fig. l-t the form of a sheet-metal blank from which to form the backbone is shown. This blank is preferably slightly tapered toward the lower end, 110, for less than a quarter of its length, and the same is then, in'any suitable manner, Formed into a tube with the edges joined. which is bent to proper backbone curvature. In liig. 113 the blank from which to form the rear-wheel fork is shown, and in Fig. 17 is a central vertical section of the same when brought into form with its legs opposed, as necessary, it being noticed that the blank is at its upper portion, 111, above that for the legs, of such a shape that in the formation of the fork a short tubular portion, 112, is also produced.

A thii'nble, 1 iii, as shown in Figs. and 18, having an outlying flange, 111, at its lower end, is entered through and projected above the tubular portion of the said fork, and the lower end of the backbone is but-ted against the upper end of said tubular portion 112 of the fork, its portion toward such end fitting over aportion of the length of said t-himble. The parts formed and placed with respect to each other, as described, are to be in such re lations permanently secured by any of the methods well known to metal-workersas, for instance, by shrinking, brazing, or soldcring.

A backbone and rear-wheel fork made as described may be more perfectly and easily formed, and may be made unusually light and entirely in conformance with all requirements as to strength.

, Various of the setting-up and adjusting screws and bolts are to be provided with check-nuts 114-, as shown in several of the views, being deemed, however, as obvious expedients and readily apparent in the constructions before described as constituting the present invention.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a velocipede, the combination, with a fork-leg provided with a yoke having an extension provided with a pivotal bearingsocket, 54-, ot' the wheel-spindle and the bearing-box embracing same, having an extension by its outer end pivotally hung in said socket, and a spring interposed between the top of said bearing-box and the said yoke above said box, the said pivotal connection between the yoke and the bearing-box extension being in a line at about right angles to the line of compression of said spring, substantially as described.

2. In a 'clocipede, the combination, with a fork-leg provided with a rigidly -attached yoke having an extension provided with a pivotal bearing-socket I, and terminatingin the extension-bearing 05, substantially as described, of the wheel-spindle and the bearingbox embracing same, having an extension by its outer end pivotally hung in said socket, and a spring interposed between the top of said bearingbox and the said yoke above said box, the said pivotal connection between the yoke and the bearing-box extension being in a line at about right angles to the line of compression of said spring, and the adjustingscrew 56, passing through said bearing 55 against the side of the said bearing-box, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination, with the bearing-box and the fork-leg having the yoke connected with and spring-s11pported from said box, substantially as described, and provided with the extension 52 in front of the said box, having the slot 63, of the guiding-pin 61, secured on the ct ge of said box and passing through said slot, substantially as described.

4;. The con'ibination, with the hearing-box i and the wheel-spindle f, provided with the annularly-grooved jour11al'-collar 65, of the ring-shaped ball-case fitting in said bearingbox and about said journal-collar, having the internal annular groove formed in segments IIO having their matching ends in planes inclining to the sides of the case, whereby the lines of juncture at the grooved walls cross same obliquely, and the hardened balls m, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination, With the wheel-spindle having the hub fixed thereon, and the journal-collar (i5, and the bearing-box suitably supported at its inner endembracing and bearing on the periphery of said journal-collar, of the dust-cap 73 between the end of the hub and the ends of the journal-collar and bearingbox, and covering the circular line of contact between said collar and box, substantially'as and for the purpose described.

6. The combination, with the wheel-spindle having the eXternally-grooved journal-collar or enlargement thereon, the bearing-box, and the annular internally-grooved ball-case peripherally surrounding the said journal-collar, of the inclosing-cap '74:, screwing into the bearing-box, with its inner face in a plane at right angles to the axis of the said spindle and ball-case, and lying against and covering the circular line of contact between the inner periphery of the ball-case and the outer periphery of the journal-collar at the outer end thereof, substantially as described.

'7. The combination, with the wheel-spindle having the journal-collar thereon and the bearing-box and ball-case therein surrounding the j ournal-collar, of the inclosing-cap '74, screwing into the bearing-box, having a rabbet, 75, and the supplemental dust-plate 76 therein, covering the circular line of contact between the journal-collar and the ball-case at the outer end thereof, substantially as shown and described.

8. The combination, with the fork-head brake-shoe and pivoted carrying-arm there for, of the pivoted brake-lever 85 and the connecting-rod by its lower end pivoted to an intermediate portion of the brake-carrying arm, having an offset bracket, to which the brake-lever is connected by its. end, and a spring to lift said connecting-rod, substantially as described.

9. Improved pivotal connections between levers and the parts to which they are connected, consisting of a rabbet formed in the stock of one of the adjacent surfaces around the pivotal pin, and a bushing of compressible materialinserted in said rabbet to exert a transverse pressure between the parts, whereby the swinging part may be held against its pivot-head, and a washer interposed between the outer end of the bushing and the surface of the adjacent part and surrounding the pivot, substantially as and for the purpose described.-

10. The combination, with the slotted forkhead and the backbone connected to and 0a pable of swinging thereon, of a dust-guard having rigid ear-pieces secured to the neck of the backbone, said dust-guard entirely surrounding the fork-head and covering the slottherein.

ll. The combination, with the slotted forkhead and the backbone swinging thereon, of the semicircular dust-guards 106, encircling said fork-head, having at their rear edges the earpieces 107, and the bolt 108, passing through the said ear-pieces and said backbone, as shown.

GEO. T. VARVICK.

Witnesses:

H. A. CHAPIN, G. M CHAMBERLAIN. 

